Aerodynamic performance investigation on waverider with variable blunt radius in hypersonic flows. (August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Shibin; Wang, Zhenguo; Huang, Wei; Xu, Shenren; Yan, Li
• Is Part Of: Acta astronautica. Volume 137(2017)
• Page Start: 362
• Page End: 372
• Publication Date: 2017-08
• Subjects: Hypersonic flow -- Waverider -- Variable -- Blunt leading edge; Astronautics -- Periodicals; Outer space -- Exploration -- Periodicals; Astronautics; Periodicals; 629.405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2017.05.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-5765

Abstract

Abstract: Waverider is an important candidate for the design of hypersonic vehicles. However, the ideal waverider cannot be manufactured because of its sharp leading edge, so the leading edge should be blunted. In the paper, the HMB solver and laminar flow model have been utilized to obtain the flow field properties around the blunt waverider with the freestream Mach number being 8.0, and several novel strategies have been suggested to improve the aerodynamic performance of blunt waverider. The numerical method has been validated against experimental data, and the Stanton number( St ) of the predicted result has been analyzed. The obtained results show good agreement with the experimental data. St max decreases by 58% and L/D decreases by 8.2% when the blunt radius increases from 0.0002 m to 0.001 m. "Variable blunt waverider" is a good compromise for aerodynamic performance and thermal insulation. The aero-heating characteristics are very sensitive to R max . The position of the smallest blunt radius has a great effect on the aerodynamic performance. In addition, the type of blunt leading edge has a great effect on the aero-heating characteristics when R max is fixed. Therefore, out of several designs, Type 4is the best way to achieve the good overall performance. The "Variable blunt waverider" not only improves the aerodynamic performance, but also makes the aero-heating become evenly-distributed, leading to better aero-heating characteristics. Highlights: When R increases to 0.001 m, St max and L/D decrease respectively by 58% and 8.2%. The L/Ds of Cases 3 and 8 are consistent, however, the latter's St max reduces by 23%. The position of the smallest blunt radius has a great effect on the aerodynamic performance. "Variable blunt waverider" is a good compromise method between L/D and S t.